A Columbia man is facing attempted murder charges in connection with a July incident in which his ex-girlfriend was hospitalized after she was allegedly beaten, according to Howard County police.

Colonel Preston Long III, 29, of the 12000 block of Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, was indicted last week on attempted first- and second-degree murder and three assault charges in connection with the July 14 incident.

According to charging documents, police responded to the victim's apartment in Columbia about 12:23 a.m. A witness who said she was the victim's friend said Long had assaulted the victim after an argument, according to the documents.

The witness told police that the victim wanted Long to leave her residence because it was late and that he refused, according to the documents.

The documents state that the victim called 911. According to the documents, Long became angry and began threatening the victim.

He then allegedly punched and kicked the victim in the face and began to choke her, according to the documents. He also is accused of dragging her by the hair and hitting her head against a wall and a washing machine, according to the documents.

Long allegedly also attacked the witness when she tried to intervene, the documents state.

Long then fled the scene, police said.

The victim was transported to Howard County General Hospital because of her injuries, which included a swollen face and an inability to see, according to the documents.

Long was arrested in New Jersey on a drug-related charge on July 19 and was extradited to Howard County, police said.

Long, who was indicted on Aug. 13 by a Howard County grand jury is currently released on $250,000 bond, according to court records.